ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University baseball team split the final Atlantic East Conference doubleheader of the regular season against Gwynedd Mercy University on Sunday afternoon. The Griffins won the first game 15-6. The Knights then took the nightcap, also by a score of 15-6.
 
In between games, the Knights honored their 2019 senior class: Joe Nepi, John Lindeborn, Grant Wallace, John Schoelkopf, David Alvarez, Curt Yenchik and manager Bryan Raymond.
 
To start the afternoon, Gwynedd Mercy scored five runs in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. Neumann got two runs back in the bottom of the first inning. One team would score some runs, while the other answered throughout most of the game. Zach Ray hit a two-run double in the fifth inning for Neumann's final runs of game one.
 
Nick Glebocki started the game for the Knights and went one inning. Josh Cruz came in and went 5.0 innings from the pen. Brennan Hatala and Alvarez rounded out the time on the mound.
 
Roles reversed in game two as the Knights pounded out 20 hits en route to their 15 runs. The teams started the game by trading runs in the first. Schoelkopf led off the home half of the inning with a triple and scored on a wild pitch.
 
The Griffins scored two runs in the top of the third inning. The Knights responded as Lindeborn and Yenchik hit back-to-back solo homeruns to tie the game at three.
 
The Knights took the lead in the fourth inning. The first four batters reached base via a hit or a walk as Neumann plated three runs. The Knights then added five runs to their lead in the seventh inning. Andrew La Rosa and Ray led off the inning with back-to-back doubles. With one out, Schoelkopf, Yenchik and Danny Padilla all hit RBI singles. Nepi knocked in the final run of the inning with a sacrifice fly.
 
Neumann added three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ray led off with his third double of the game and fourth of the afternoon. Between two singles and two walks, the Knights capped their scoring for the game. 
 
Phil Sanborn started the game and went 6.0 innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out three. Will Hart picked up a three-inning save. He allowed three runs on five hits and struck out six.
 
Neumann (14-20, 5-7 Atlantic East) will head into the postseason as the No. 5 seed. The Knights will head to the pod hosted by No. 2 Gwynedd Mercy. The teams will be joined by No. 3 seeded Marymount. Action will get underway on Friday at 9:00 AM.